Public bus transit division of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority in Boston metropolitan area
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Bus Division| Company type | Public transit agency division |
|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
|---|
| Predecessor | Boston Elevated Railway, Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway, Middlesex and Boston Street Railway, Service Bus Lines |
|---|
| Founded | 1964 |
|---|
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
|---|
Area served | Boston metropolitan area |
|---|
| Products | Bus transit services including local, express, crosstown, and bus rapid transit (Silver Line) |
|---|
| Owner | Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority |
|---|
| Website | mbta.com/bus |
|---|
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) bus division manages 151 routes throughout the Boston metropolitan region, providing connections to MBTA subway lines, Commuter Rail services, and other bus networks. The majority of these routes trace their origins to former streetcar lines or suburban operators such as the Eastern Massachusetts and Middlesex and Boston Street Railways. The MBTA directly oversees 147 of these routes, while four are operated by private contractors, and an additional four suburban routes receive partial funding from the MBTA.
As of 2024, the standard local bus fare is set at $1.70 per one-way trip. In contrast, the Silver Line routes serving the waterfront (SL1, SL2, SL3, SLW) apply the $2.40 subway fare. Express buses charge a two-tier fare: a local segment at the regular bus rate and an express highway portion costing $4.25.
Although service levels were interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, full restoration to pre-pandemic operations occurred by 2021; however, some routes have been permanently discontinued. Since 2018, the MBTA has been working on an extensive bus network overhaul scheduled for completion by 2028, with initial modifications commencing in December 2024.
Silver Line
The Silver Line encompasses six bus rapid transit routes promoted as rapid transit service. It consists of two main branches: the Waterfront segment (SL1, SL2, SL3, and the rush-hour SLW shuttle), which runs through the South Boston Transitway tunnel, and the Washington Street segment (SL4 and SL5), which operates on surface streets. The Waterfront routes charge fares equivalent to the subway system, whereas Washington Street services maintain standard bus fares. All Silver Line vehicles are articulated 60-foot buses; those on the Waterfront routes are hybrid models equipped with extended electric range capabilities suitable for tunnel travel.
The SL5 route was introduced in 2002 as a replacement for the Washington Street Elevated line. The SLW shuttle began operating in 2004, followed by SL2 and the original SL3 in that same year; SL1 launched in 2005 utilizing dual-mode buses. The SL4 route emerged in 2009 after a planned tunnel project was canceled. A new SL3 service connecting to Chelsea started in 2018.
Crosstown
The MBTA operates two crosstown (CT) routes, which provide limited-stop service linking major subway stations and key bus transfer points. When initially launched in 1994, there were three crosstown routes; however, route CT1 was merged into route 1 in 2019.
Routes 1–121
These numbered lines provide nearly all local transit services within Boston’s core metropolitan area; most have their roots as Boston Elevated Railway streetcar routes. Their numbering generally follows a clockwise pattern from southeast to northeast and has remained largely consistent since these services were incorporated into the MBTA in 1964, with some minor consolidations and additions over time.
Seven routes—specifically , , , , , , and —serve western suburban communities including Bedford, Waltham, Lexington, and Needham. These originated from the Middlesex and Boston Street Railway acquisition in 1972 and were subsequently renumbered.
In 2004, fourteen routes—such as , , , , , , , , , , , , , and —were designated as key bus routes due to their high passenger volumes and their role in complementing subway service in densely populated areas. These lines operate with increased frequency, a practice that is evolving under the MBTA’s Bus Network Redesign initiative beginning in 2024, which replaces the key route classification with a broader frequent network concept. Routes 28 and 39 utilize articulated buses measuring 60 feet in length.
Additionally, four early-morning round trips operate between outlying stations and using multiple local routes primarily for station agent shifts but are available to all riders. These trips are internally numbered 191 through 194 and appear as variants of regular local routes on schedules.
... [table continues with remaining routes similarly formatted] ...
131–137
Routes numbered 131 through 137 primarily serve the Melrose vicinity, tracing their origins to former Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were incorporated into the MBTA system in 1968. Under MBTA administration, routes 136 and 137 once extended briefly to Lowell and Lawrence before being discontinued. Route 132 began as a Service Bus Lines route prior to its transition to MBTA operation in 1975.
171
Route 171 offers limited early morning service, acting as a replacement for the former CT3 line, which was shortened from Logan Airport in 2002. Other routes within the 170 series were generally short-term services focused on industrial zones.
201–202
Originally designated as the 20 belt route by the M.T.A. in 1962, evolving from BERY's earlier routes, this service was renumbered in 2005 into routes 201 and 202 to better distinguish the directions of the loop.
210–245
Serving the Quincy region, routes numbered from 210 to 245 originated from Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines that were absorbed into the MBTA in 1968. With the gradual introduction of the Red Line's Braintree Branch throughout the 1970s and 1980s, these services were reorganized to primarily terminate at rapid transit stations such as .
350–354
These services operate within the Burlington and Woburn regions, originally part of the Lowell–Boston line managed by the Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway. The MBTA took over this route in 1968, later reducing its extent to terminate in Burlington.
411–465
Serving Lynn and the North Shore area, these routes encompass former Service Bus Lines routes (411, 430) acquired in 1975, along with Eastern Massachusetts Street Railway lines obtained in 1968. Certain services to Haymarket include weekend short-turn trips terminating at Wonderland station.
501–558
These express services link Newton with downtown Boston via the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90). The MBTA launched the 500 series in the 1960s to take advantage of the newly extended turnpike. The 550 series evolved from Middlesex and Boston Street Railway routes serving Newton Corner, which were extended into downtown Boston during the 1960s and incorporated into the MBTA system in 1972; however, they were scaled back to Newton Corner in 2020.
Privately Operated Services
The MBTA provides partial subsidies for suburban routes beyond its main network that serve as connections to MBTA lines. Routes 712 through 716 are radial commuter services originally owned by private companies: Rapid Transit Inc. operates routes 712 and 713, Nantasket Transportation runs route 714, and Hudson Bus Lines manages route 716.
Local circulator routes without assigned numbers are initiated by municipalities and receive some funding from the MBTA. Except for the Beverly Shuttle, which is managed by the Cape Ann Transportation Authority, all these services are operated through private contracts.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
716
Cobbs Corner to
- REDIRECT Template:Boston transportation system
Template:MBTA bus EL
BED
Bedford, Massachusetts Local Transit service
Link
Town of Bedford
BEV
City of Beverly Shuttle service
Link
CATA
LEX
Lexington’s Lexpress (four routes)
Link
Town of Lexington
MIS
Mission Hill LINK service in Boston
Link
Volunteers
